Machine for forming uppers of boots and shoes.



. l. W. BLANCHARD.

MACHINE FOR FORMING UPPERS OF BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13. 1914.

1,161,019. Patented 1101211915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I Fig.1

,fwr/vgssasi fivvavme.

MM WW COLUMBIA Pun'ionRAPl-l 60.,WAsmN0't0N. D. c.

l. W.'BLANCHARD.

MACHINE FOR roamme UPPERS 0F BOOTS AND snoEs.

APPLICATION HLEI) FEB. I3, 1914- 1 Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1,1 61 ,01-9. Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- m s c et e rav ne vv; sieniuonenn, or BfiYER-LY, massncrrusnrrs; Assesses, rounrrnn szion MACHINERY COMPANY,"GFIPATERSON,NEXIVJEBSEY, A CQRIOB-ATION or NEW J ERSEY.

Macrame roe romaine Urrisns. or Boers we stress.

To all til/WW0 it'mcy concern:

Be it known that I, InvING lV-BLANCH- Am), a citizen of the United States, residing at Beverlyyin the county of Essex and-Eltate of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Forming llp pers of Boots and Shoes, ofwhichthe following description, in connection with the accompanying drmvings, is aspecifica-tion, like reference characters, on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to apparatus for shaping the uppers of boots and shoes.

The invention is herein disclosed as embodied in a machine for use in the'manufacture of that class of shoes commonly known to the trade as stitch-downs, in Which the upper is providediwith an out-turned flange to receive the stitches or other fastenings by which the upper is secured to the sole, but it \villbe apparent that many of the novel features of construction and principles of operation are applicable to the manufacture of shoes of other types.

According to a preferred practice in the manufacture of stitch down shoes, the upper, before its'attachment to the sole, is subjected to a forming or molding operation in which the sole attachingflangeisshaped to 1i 2 about the toe portion and the toe is given the shape desired for the'finished shoe. A method of preparing an upper'in'this manner forms the subject matter of United States Letters Patent No. 9%,895, granted to Karl Engel Feb. 1, 1910, and a machine by the use of "Which such a method'may be d is disclosed in United States Leters .r'atent No. 998,682 granted; to Karl cl July 25, 1911. According to the pracice disclosed in these patents, the marginal ortion of the upper blank at the toe end is nrst clamped beti'veen members that confine the margin during the toe forming operation and impart the pressure necessary to form the out-turned llange,and the unconfined portion of the blank is then operated upon by a toe former that curves the blank to the shape of the toe of the finished shoe and is moved to cause the toe to project somewhat over the out-turned flange. It will be obvious that int-his toe forming operation, unless the blank may be so adjusted as to providethe unconfined portion with therequisite fullness,tl ie clamped mar- Specifieation of Lettersi'a tent.

' Application filed-February 1s, 1914.

- rammes. as. eaters. semi No. 818,595.

ginal portiojn' 'willbe subjected to strains to compensate .07 the excess of material required for. the curved shape of'the toe, and in View of the'lfurther fact that some portionsof the toe, as, for example the abruptly curved end, require a relatively greater amount of material than other portions, the s'tr'ainsupon difi'erent", portions of the margin will differ both in direction and in degree; In orderto avoid unduly straining or tearing the blank it is necessary, therefore,

to providefor some distribution or adjustment of the material to meet the demands of the operation of the toe former. In the practice set forth in the patents above men- 7 t-ioned, accordingly, )rovision is made. for

suitable compensating movement of the flange; portion 'of the blank during the toe forming operation; i

- An object of this invention is to provide mechanism of improved construction and mode of operation for forming or shaping shoe uppers, especially at the 'forepart or toe portions, by the use of which the blank may be shaped With accuracy and uniformity and the material distributed With great precision to meet the demands of the toeforming operation, so-that a smooth toe of the des1red shape may be formed Without subjecting portions of the blank to excessive 1 strains.

A feature of theinvention accordingly resides in novel means for moving portions of a blank to providethe requisite amount of material to be used for forming the toe and tomeet the varyingdemands of the toe forming" operation at different portions of the blank. As preferably constructed, such means comprises suitably operated mechanism for effecting compensating movement of the flange ormarginal portion of the blank in the general direction of the. body of the blank, such movement being completed before the completion of the toe forming operation and particularly before'the final shaping of the abruptly curvedportions of the toe at the toe endof the blank. With this arrangement the marginal portion of the material is preferably gathered and moved inwardly at the toe end and held during the operation of a former which shapes thisend portion of the blank and is tioni During the operation of shaping the,

forward end portion of atoe blank it has been foundadvantageous to restrain the rear portion 'ofthe blank between the opposite sides from longitudinal forward movementso as to prevent distortion ofthe blank,

and means for effecting such control of the blank constitutes a further feature or the invention.

' Another feature or" the invention consists end of the blank;

A further feature consists {in a novel former having parts which are movable relatively to shape differentportions ofa blank.

The. illustrated embodiment of theinvention' comprises a toe formerv made up of relatively movable portions constituting in eiiect 'two formers which are operated successivelyto form different portions ofthe blank, the former forthe rear portion of the blank having its-,fofrming movement im= parted thereto before the. former which operates at the toe'end becomes effective to shape the blank, and preferably assisting inirestrainingthe rea'rfportion of the blank from longitudinal forward movement during the operation of the toe end. former.

' A featureof the invention isto be recognized also'in provision for movement of toe end former, forwardly in a predeter mined path oblique to the plane or the confined, blank margin to form the end portionof the toe.

)A further feature is a Sll'l'lPlQfOIIIl and arj rangement of operatinginechanism for effecting the required movements of the dis;

tribu ting, clamping and toe forming means. Still other features are to be recognized in novel means for gaging the width of the out-turned flange upon the blank, and provisions for adjustment of the various parts Y of gathering movement imparted tO'the blank, and the; effect of the toe formingmeans upon the blank, and to adapt the mechanism for operation upon blanks of diffen' ent sizes.

The above and other features of the invention, including certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be described with reference to the accompanying. drawings and pointed out in the claims.

- The'inventlon and Louis b/LBrown, Ser, No. 464,559, filed Nov. 27,1908. Machines of this type c0m-' the upperof a left shoe.

is illustrated as embodied in a machine of the general type disclosed in the pending application of Karl Engel heel portions of upper blanks, but only such portions of the complete mechanismas are directly related to the features of the present invention will be describedherein;

It should be understood also that the invention is'not limited in its application to thisparticular machine but is susceptible of a, detached portion of the mechanism" for operatingupon the forepart of an upper,

Fig. 3 is'ia vertical central section through the mechan sm shown in Flg. 2, F1g'.' l 1s a view showlng 1n disassembled relation the parts of the novel 'toeformer'and'mechanism associated therewith, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, or the shaping Y mechanism for the forepart .ofanupper,

showing a blank in position: to be operated upon, Fig.-6is a view similar toFig e, showingthe posltlons of; the varlous parts at the end or" thetoe tormmg operation,

ofa portion of the lower clamp member and the partsassoclated therewith in disassembled relat on.

Fig. 7 is a planview of the lower clamp. member," and Fig. 81s a fragmentary view 7 Thecomplete machine, as describedinthe; 1

pending application above referred Y to, is preterably provlded withtwo upper form: mg mechanlsms, one for formlng the upper of right shoe and the other for forming Since these mechanisms both comprise the. same parts, only that mechanism which is intended, for use '111' formlng the upper of a right shoe is shown and will be described herein in detail.

The upper forming mechanismsare 1n- 'clined to the horizontal substantially on an angle of t5 and, as prevlously stated, com prise means for formlng the heel portion'oi the upper and means for shaping the, forepart of the upper, these means; being ar-. rangedlto' operate in succession. Themechto vary the widthof the flange, the extent anism for operating upon'the forepart is carriedby a slide 2 which is movable'up' and down the lnchne of the frame 4:. This slide, 1t Wlll be understood, is connected with means for operating :upon the. heel portion of the blank and during the latter part of the heel forming operation ismoved downwardly bymeansnot illustrated herein in' detail but. fully described in the pending application above mentioned, thereby bring- 4, and includes two clamp membersJIS. and 10, of which the upper clamp memberB is mounted to slide inlongitudinal grooves in the, guidesG; Thejlower clamp member 10 is supported-on the headed ends of bolts 12 which pass therethrough and through. the member 8, and is drawn normally. into clamping relation to the member 8 bysprings l-t which surround the bolts above'the mem ber-8 and engage nuts upon the upper ends of thebolts. The clamp members 8 and 10 are constructed and arrangedto clainpl a nmrginal on, the member 10 being moved downward in opposition to the force or the springs 14 to permit the introduction of the blankby means which will be hereinafter described.

Both clamp members are formed with substantially planematerial engaging faces, and the lower clamp member is provided with a plurality of grooves 16that radiate outwardly from (the central cut-away portion of the member and are formed'to retain and guide: a plurality of slides 18 which will be noted, are seated also in depressions- 22 in the member 10 and are cut away to embrace the bolts 12. The slides 18 and 20 have roughened or toothed material engaging faces which project slightly. above the plane face of the member 10 so as to secure an effective hold upon the material. In operation the slides are moved inwardly in the guideways to eltect the required distribution 0- the material of the blank to meet the demands of the toe former. It will be seen by reference to Fig. 7 that the slides are arranged unsymmetrically with respect to the member 10 in view ofthe unsymmetrical form of an upper blank. are arranged foroperatingupon the upper of a right shoe; and for operating upon a left blank it will be understood that the grooves and slides are to be disposed reversely with respect to the opposite sides of the clamp member.

The slides 18 and 20 are controlled and are moved in their guideways by mechanism which includes rods 24: the lower end portions of which are shaped to engage in slots 2% in the slides. The rods extend through the upper clamp member 8 and are flattened to engage in guiding slots 28 in this member, this construction providing shouldered portions on the rods which rest upon the upper surface of the member 8 and thusre strain the rods from further downward movement through said members The forward edges of the flattened portions of the rods are curved to correspond to the transverse curve of the front portion of the member 8, and are shaped to provide projections portion of the toe part ofithe upper and to iorm an out-turnedfiange there- The parts illustrated 30 the lower faces otwhich fornicofntin. nations of the clamping face of the member 8. Thefslots 28 ,are'ojf suficient length a to' permit the required operative movement of the rods 24, with suiiicient leeway to provide forzadjustment of theextent of such move:

ment. The rod ends engage deeply enough in the slides to avoid disengagement therefrom when the clamp member 10 1s atits lower limit of movement, and are thus in :17,

position to act as gages to position the margin of the material when the blank is inwvard movement b en a ement with the surface of. a plate 3 L which is supported in spaced'relation to the clamp member'8 by posts 36. These posts are secured to the member 8 and are shoulderedattheir upper ends to receive the plate 3ft. which is confined thereon by nuts 38. The posts 36am substantially perpendicular to the plane or" member 8, and extend through the block 32 which'is arranged to slidethereon in the spacebetween the members 8 andfiat. This movement of the block upon the fixed posts 36 will, it is evident, cause the rods 24- to move laterally in directions parallel to the plane of the member 8 while maintaining the angular relation of the rods to the clamp members and to one another, an upward movement of the block causing the rods to move inwardly toward the cut-away portions 01 the clamp members and to impart a similar movement to the slides 18 and 20. The extent of movement of the rods and slides for a given movement of the block will, it is evident, depend uponthe degree of inclination of the rods to the plane of the member 8, and by fixing different rods difl erent inclinations corresponding slides may be moved through different respective distances. Such an arrangement is within the province of the invention, although in 14: is a bridge piece sit) the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. A bar is secured at the rear of the clamp member 10 and has ad ustably mounted thereon gages lab i Mstopositionthe side edges of the blank as the latter is inserted between the clamp members; Between the gages and the bar areplates d6 which serve to raise the edges of the material. sufficiently to clear adjacent :portionsof the clamp member when the blank is inserted. The member '10is also provided w th strippingdevices which comprise metal springs 18 seated in recesses f in the clamp member between the slots 16 and extending'normally slightlyabove the plane of the toothed faces of the slides 18 and 20so' as to facilitate the insertion of the the slide 7 50..

blank and disengagementof'the blank from the teeth on the slides when the clamp members are separated afterthefcompletion of a the forming operation.

The mechanism'described thus far'is operated and controlled through members that. are carried by a slide which is moved. in directions substantially perpendicular to the planes of the clamp members and supports also means for form ng the unconfined poritions of the, blank after the'marginof t latterhas been clamped The slide 50 car ries a roll 52 that enters a cam groove 5% in a cam disk 56 on a cam shaft 58, which is suitably rotated in the direction of the arrow shown on F g; 1, and 1S forked at its lower end to embrace the cam shaft whichits movements are partly guided.

Carried by the slide 50 and guided in grooves. 60 thereinffor movementin directions at right angles to the directions of movement of-the slide is a slide 62 whichcarriesat one end a plate 6 1fthat engagesin grooves 1n the member 2 so that the slide 62 may be moved'transverselyi of said. member on the upward and downward movements of the slide 50 and shares thev longitudinal movements of the member 21113 and down the incline of the frame independently 'of guides for sliding .movement with respect thereto two other' slides 66"and 68, which theslide 66 is formed with side flanges that are retained in grooves 70 n the member 62,

the direction of these grooves being such that the member 66 may be adjusted in directions parallel to the grooves 60 in the member 50. The slide'66 isfornied with a pro ection72 which 1S grooved at its edges to embrace retaining flanges that are formed 7 at Opposite ends of a recesslin one side'of the bar- 12. This arrangement permits the member 72 to slide transversely of the bar but serves to the longitudinal position I of this member and of the slide 66 with i'ef-' erence to the clamp members. Secured to the member72 is a transverse bar 74 the ends of which, are'posi'tioned to pro ect over.

andengage ears 76 on the clamp member 10. .With this arrangement it will'be seen that when the slide 50 is moved downwardly the I to the force of the springs 1%.

The slide 62 supports andscrew 80.

7 slides 62 and '66 will be "carried therewith and the bar 7 1 willpull downwardly upon the ears? 6 and separate thevlowerfclamp member 10 from the member 8 in opposition Theslide 66 also carries a rod 78 which is member-s10 and 8 in o position-to engage,

when thevslide 50 is moved upwarcha plug 8r0wl11ch 1S ad ustably threaded into arecess in. the" block 32; By this means upward movement of the slide-50, which" serves, as

will be evident from the precedingdescrip tion,'to release the clamp member 10 and permit the springs 1 1 to move this, member into clamping relation to the members, also with consequent movement of'the slides 18 and '20 inwardly toward the; cut-away portion of the clamp. "The parts are preferably so adjusted that the member 10 is first more to clamping position and the rod 7 8 then enon u s the'plu'g SO toeiiectthe gatheringand 5 r compensating movement of the marginal portion of the blank which 1s. engaged by the ment. thereof androf the slides 18 and 20. The lower limit of movement {of the block 32 is determinedtby a screw 82 which is threaded into a bore in the block and slides freely through the plate B l, the head of the screw limiting'the downward movement of the block by contact withthe plate. Adjust- I ment of the screw 82,-it will be evident, va

ries the initial position of the block and consequentlythepositions of the rods 2% and of the blank engaging slides 18 and 20 in effects upward movement of the block 32 r V lslides and'the clamp members. Adjustment v of. the plug 80 will vary the time at"which the upward movement of the block 32 is to beginfland consequently the extent of move their guideways. Iflhe block is adjusteddownwardly thisserves to retract the rods and slides from'the central portion of the clamp and permits the introduction of a largerblank Such adjustment would also serve, of course, to vary the time and'extent of movement imparted to the'block from the rod 78,7but these conditions may be regulated independently by adjustment of the The bores which receive the screws, 80 and-82 are inalinementr so that if the screw 82 is removed a tool may be inserted to adjust the screw 80 as desired, and the latter is held preferably in adjusted position by a set screw 81. t r

slides 66 and 68, and such movement is also 7 70 r i threaded into theslide at one end and proa jects upwardly through holes in the clamp V The slide 62 is provided also with grooves prevented by a screw 88 which is threaded into an upward projection of the "slide 68 and extends'through an elongatedslot 90 in the member 7 2 with its head in engagement with said member. The rod- 7 8 and the slot 90, however, permit the slide 68 to move up ward or downward to a limited extent with reference to the slide 66, which movement is caused by reason of theangular relation of the grooves 70 and 84 when both slides are moved together longitudinally with the clamp members for the purpose of adjustment, as will be subsequently explained.

The slide 68 supports adjustably at its upper end the rear portion 92 of a toe former for use in shaping the unconfined portion of the toe blank. The forward portion '94of the toe former, which is the part that is used to shape the toe end of the blank, is mounted adjustably upon a slide 96 which has flanges 98 that engage in grooves 100 formed in the slide 68, and extend upward on a considerable incline toward the clamp members. The slide 96 has an elongated slot 102 to receive the rod 7 8, which permits the slide to move in the grooves 100 with reference to the rod and to the'slide 68.

It will now be seen that when the member 50 receives its upward movement it carries with it the toe former, and after the marginal. portion of the blank has been clamped and while the slides 18 and 20 are operating to gather and adjust different portions of v the blank, the part 92 of the former operates to shape the unconfined portion of the blank between the sides of the clamp at a distance from the toe end. The former 92 at the end of its upward movement finally presses the material of the blank against the bridge piece 40, particularly at points near the sides of the former, to prevent forward movement of this portion of the material during the subsequent formation of the toe end; 1 1

At the end of the upward movement of the member 50 the unconfined portions of the blank in front of the part 92 of the former are in a somewhat loose and unshaped condition, not having as yet been operated upon to any effective extent by the toe end former 9 1. To form the toe end of the blank, movement is now imparted to the slide 96'on the angle determined by the grooves 100, and this carries the former 9 1 forwardly and upwardly in a path inclined to the plane of the clamp members and over the curved edge of the upper clamp member 8 to the position shown in Fig. 6. For effecting this movement the slide 96 is provided with a block 104: which is flanged to engage in grooves in a block 106 adjustably connected by a rod 108 to a toggle actuated member 110, the adjustable connections between the rod and member comprising a threaded sleeve112 upon a shouldered portion of which the member 110 is confined by a nut 11%, said sleeve having turning movement imparted thereto when desired by a gear 116 intermeshing with a second gear 118 on a shaft 120, this shaft being restrained from longitudinal move ment in a bearing formed in an upstanding lug 122 *on the slide '2. freely movable through the lug 122, and the member 110 is pivotally connected to one link 1241 of a toggle, the other link 126 of which is connected to the member 2.

The toggle is straightened and broken'to effect movement of the rod 108 and theslide 96 by a link 128 connected at one end to the knee joint of the toggle and at its other and is suitably guided at its upper end by the frame, The slide 188 is reciprocated to effect its toggle straightening and breaking operations by the engagement of a cam roll 142 on the slide with a cam groove 1 14 in a cam disk 1 16 carried by the shaft 140.

The extent of movement of the toe and former caused by the straightening of the toggle 124, 126 and particularly the limit of return movement of this former, may be varied by turning the nut 114 upon the sleeve 112-so as to provide lost motion be tween the member 110 and the sleeve. "The initial position of the slide 96 with reference to the'slide 68, and therefore of-the former 91 with reference to the former 92 The sleeve 112 is j andthe clamp members, may be likewise ment up and down the incline of the ma chine frame, it will be clear that turning of the shaft by means of the hand wheel 148 will adjust these'parts longitudinally with reference to the slide 2 and the heel forming mechanism, the purpose ofthis adjustment being to adapt the machine toopcrate upon uppers of different sizes. During this ad usting movement the slides 66 and 68 will move relatively to the slide 62 which is restrained from longitudinal movement with reference to the slide 2 as previously,

' explained, and in View of the angular reformer 92 for difl'erent sizes of upper are of the-same pitch as those upon the rod 108, and they gears 116 and 118 have thesame number of teeth, so that when.

lation of the grooves 70 and 84: the slide 68 will have a relative upward or downward. movement on the slidefi6 to adjust proportionately the initial position ofthe The threads upon the shaft 120, moreover,

' the shaft'1 20 and the sleeve 112 are turned movement longitudinally between the slides 68and '96 and betweenthe parts of the toe 7 together there will be no relative adjusting former.

When it is desired to adjust the position of the toe and former 94: with reference to the clamp members andto the former 92 to vary relatively the limit of forwardmovement of the former 9d, the gear 118Vmay be disconnected from the shaft 120 and be moved along the. shaft out of engagement with the gear 116, so that the sleeve 112 may be turned without turning the;shaft 120.

This adjustment will serve to vary the bulge of the toe over its flange and also to vary the amount of longitudinal stretch imparted to the blank. WVhen the slide 2 moves up ward or downward in the operation of the machine it will be understood that the slide 62 and all parts of the mechanism for op,-

erating upon the forward or toe portion of the upper blank are carried therewith with out relative movement of any portions of this mechanism.

In the operation of the machine, assuming that the several adjustments have been 10 at this time is held in, its lowermost posi-. tion by engagement of thebar 74 with the ears 76. The forepart of the upper is now inserted between the clamp members with.

its margin in engagement with the lower end portions of the rods 24, as shown in Fig. 5, and the machine is again started in operation by depression of its actuating treadle. As the cam shafts 58 and 14 -0 resume their rotation, the cam 54 first operates upon the roller 52 to'impart upward movement to the slide .50 and the mechanism supported thereby. 'The first effect of this operation is to release the lower clamp mem- -ber 10 and permit the springs 14: to move this member upwardly to clamp'the marginal portion of the blank between the opposed facesof the clamp members. The head of theflrod 7 8 next encounters the plug 80' and imparts upward movement to the block 32, which causes the rods 2% and the slides 18 and20 to move inwardly toward the body portion of the blank. During this movement of, the block the slides, by means of their toothed faces, impart inward movement to the marginal portion of the blankto I adjust the material and providethe proper fullness to. meetthe demands of the-toe former, and by reason of their relative arrangement cause a gathering of the material of the blank along the flange line. At the same time the two portions 92 and 94 ofthe toe former are mov= ing'upward, and the portion 92 becomes ef fective to stretch and form the material at the rear portion of the blank and finally to clamp the material at the sides of the former, and it may be also .upon the top of the former, against portions of the member 40. Upward movement of the slide .50

. now ceases by reason of the fact that the roll reaches the concentric portion of the offset of the cam groove 54, and as the cam shafts continue their rotation the'roll 142 is operated upon 'bytheoifset of the cam groove 1&4; to move the slide 138 upwardly. This causes the toggle 124, 126 to be straightened and imparts, as previously explained, movement to the toe end former 91 to the position shown in Fig. 6, so as to. form the blank at the toe end with a bulge.

projecting over the clamped flange. w

Rotation of the shafts 58 and 140 now ceases automatically, as explained 1n the pendingappliCation previouslyreferred to, j

and the parts of the mechanism are retamed 1n the positions to which they have been moved to perm t the upperto set to shape while the-upper of the other shoe of a pair is being operated upon in another part of the machine. lVhen it is desired to removethe upper, a further actuation of the starting mechanism, it will be understood, causes the parts to return to their first position represented in Fig. 1. In this movement the cam shafts continue their forward rotation,and the toe end former 9a is first returned by downward movement of the slide 138, after which the slide 50 is moved downward; Although the rod 78 willbegin'its downward. movement before the bar 7% reaches aposition to contact with theears 76 on the lower clamp member, the weight of the block 32 is not sufficient to cause the block to move down wardly until the material has been released by the clamp members, because of r the engagement of the teeth on the slides 18 and20 withthe blank. Asthe clamp members separate, moreover, the springs 18 serve to strip the material from the teeth so that the slides moveback freely generally to materials su'cln t'or example, as

the forepart of an assembledshoe upper,

adapted for use informing the toe'portion of a boot or shoe or for formingotherlike articles of manufacture.

Although the in vention is disclosed as embodied in apparatus havingthespecilictem tures of construction. shown and described, it Will be understood that the invention is not thus limited in its application but that other embodiments are comprehended Within the s iiirit and scope thereof as do fined in the claims.

Having described the invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Le-tters Patent of the United States is: p

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination Withmeans for forniing a toe from a toe blank, of means for effecting relatire increment of adjustment different portions of the blank at'its edge in (11;, rections convergingtoward thebody of the blank, said adjusting'means being arranged to operate before the" operation of said formingmeans to shape the toe end of the blank.

1n apparatus of the class described, the combination with means tor-forming a toe from a toe blank, of means for imparting ad usting movement to the marginal portion of the blank at the toe end in the direction of the body of the blank, said adjusting means being arranged to operate before the toe end'ot the blank is shaped by said. forming means. I

3. In apparatus or the class described, the combination with toe former, of means for gaging the positionfof a blankwwith reference to said 'ffllllldif, means formoting the marginal portionat the toe end of the blank rearwardly, and means for subsequently moving the toe former forwardly.

%l-. ln apparatus of the classldescribed, the combination with means for forming a toe from a toe blank, of means for clamping the mar lal portion of the blank tofoifin a flange thereon, said means including portions movable Whilein clamping position in the plane of said means, means for operat ins; said portions of the clampingmeansto more the flange in the direction-of the body of the blank, and means for subsequently operating the forming means to shape the:

toe end of the blank.

in apparatusof the class described, the

combination with means for; confining the marginal portlon of a toe blank, of means for shapingthe rear portion of the blank, and means for subsequently shaping the toe end of the blank.

(5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination With means for confining the marginal portion of a toe blank, ol means for shaping the rear p rtion oi the blank, means. operated simultaneously with said shaping means to adjust relatively different parts of the confined marginal portion of the blank, and'means for subsequently shaping the toe end of the blank.

. 7. ln apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for forming a toe from a toe blank, oi means for restraining the rear portion of the blank from longitudinal forwardmovement during the operation of said forming means at the toe end of the blank.

S. In apparatus of the classdescribed. the combination With means for confining the marginal portion of, a toe blank, of means for shaping the rear portion of the blank and for confining said portion against longitudinal forwardincrement, and means for subsequently shag ing the toe end oi the blank.

9. En apparatus of the class described, the

combination with means for'claniping the marginal portion of a toe blank, of a former I01? shaping the rear portion of the blank movable in a direction transverse to the :-lane of said clamping means, and a former for shaping the toe end 01" the blank movable relatively to said rear former.

10. in apparatus of the class described,

the combination with means for clamping the marginal portlon of a toe blank, of a former for shaping the rear portion of the blank movable 1n a, direction transverse to the plane of said clamping means, a former for shabing the toe end of the blank, means for moving both said :loriners together in a direction transversevto the plane of said clamping means, and neastfor moving the toe end former relatively to said rear former to shape the toe end of the blank.

'11. In apparatus of the class described, thecombination with means for clamping the marginal portion of a toe blank, of a former shaping the rear portion of the blank movable in a direction transverse t the lane of said clar sing means, a former for shaping the toe end of the blank, means for moving; both said formers together in a direction transverse to the plane of said clamping means, and means for moving the toe end former relatively to said rear former inadirection oblique to the plane of said clamping means to's iape the toe end of the blank. c h

12. In aoparatus of the class described,

a former for shaping the rearportion of a toe blank means for confiningthe blank against said former to prevent, longitudinal forward movement of the rear portion of means. I

H. In apparatus for shaping sheet mate rial, a former comprising relatively movable arts and means for oneratin .said oarts' of the former successively to shape different portions of the material. 7 I

15. In apparatus for shaping sheet mateial, a former comprising relatively movable parts, means for effecting relative movement of said partsto shapedii ferent portions of the material, and means for varying the extentof relative movement'of said parts of the former.

16. In apparatus for forming a toe from a toe blank, a former for shaping the rear portion of the blank, and a second former for shaping the toe end or the blank, said formers being relatively movabie,and said apparatus including provision for adjustment to vary theinitial relative positions of said formers. r

17. In apparatus for forming a toe from a toe blank, a5 former-for shaping the rear portion of the blank, a former movable forwardly from said rear former to shape the 'toe end of the blank, means. for imparting 'forward movement to said toe end former,

and means for varying the limit of forward movement thereof;

18. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, clamp. members arranged for longitudinal adjusting movement upon the frame, a former adjustable transversely;

to the plane of said members, and means for effecting said adjusting 'movement of the former mo ement of said members. a I

19.91 machine of the class described comprising a frame, clamp members arranged for longitudinal adjusting movement upon the'frame, a former," a sl de supporting said former and movable longitudinally with the clamp members, and means for efiiecting movement of said slide in a direction transverse to the planesof the clamp members simultaneously with the adjusting movement oi 'said members.

20. In apparatus forforming a toe from a toe blank, a former for shaping the rear portion of the, blank, afsupport for said former, said support being formed with grooves inclined upwardly and forwardly imultaneously' with the, adjusting in a direction oblique to the planes of the clampmembe'rs', a slide having flanges seated in said grooves, anda toe end former 'mounted on said slide,

21. In apparatus for forming a toe from a toe blank, a pair of clamp members rela tively movable to confine the marginal portion of the blank, resilient means for mov ing said members relatively to clamping position, and means for separating said memhere to receive the blank. v In apparatus for forming a toe from a toe blank, a pair of clamp members relatively movable to confine the marginal portion of the blank, resilient means for moving said members relatively to clamping position, an operating member movable in di rections transverse to the planes ofsaid clamp membersand having means for 'en-' gaging the lower clamp member, and, means tor moving said operating member in a di- :rection to separate the clamp members to permit the introductioncof the blank 23. In apparatus for forming a toe from a toe blank, clamp members arranged to confine the marginal portion of the blank, and adjustable gages located rear ardly of saidv members for guiding the edges of the blank when the blank 1S-'1I1S6lt-6Cl between the clamp members.

24(In apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for forming a toe from toe blank, of clamp members for confining the marginal portion of the blank, one of said members including blank engaging portions movable relatively to other portions thereof in directions converging to-- ward the body of theblank,

25. In apparatus forforming a toe from a toe blank, clamp members arranged to clamp the marginal portion of theblank, one of said members having guideways formed therein converging toward the body portion of the blank, and slides movable in said guideways formed to engage the surface of the marginal portion of the blank at i one side; H

In apparatus of the class V described, clamp members relatively movableto clamp apiece ofmaterial, one of said members including'material engaging sl des relatively movable'thereon in the plane of the clamp-' ing face of said member in directions converging toward thebody of the material, and operating means engaging said slides to impart movement thereto.

QTLIn apparatus of the class described, a clamp .membe'rs relatively movable to clamp a piece of material, one ofsaid members in eluding material engaging slides relatively movable thereon in the plane of the clampingoface of saidmember, said slides having slots formed therein, and operating means engaging in said slots for imparting move ment to the slides. f

28. In apparatus of class. clamp members relatively movable to clamp themarginal portion of a blank, one of. said members including blank engaging, slides relatively movable. thereon in theplane of the clamping face of said member, and operating means for imparting movement to saidslidesysaid operating means including portions located to gage the position of the margin of the blank.

29. In apparatus of the class described,

cluding slides arranged to engage the surface of the material, and operating means for said slides comprising rods engaging the slides at one end, and means for imparting lateral movement to the rods to move the slides.

31. In apparatus of the class described, clamp members relatively movable to clamp a piece of material, one of said members including slides arranged to engage the surface of the material, and operating means for. said slides comprising rods engaging the ,slides at one end and extending in angular relation to the planes ofsaid clamp members, means for restraining the ,rods from endwise movement, and means movable in engagement with said rods in directions forming a different angle than the rods with,

the planes of the clamp members for im-- parting lateral movement to the rods to move the slides.

32. In apparatus of the class described, clamp members'relatively movable to clamp the marginal portion of a toe blank, one of said members including toothed slides arranged to engage the surface of the blank and movable in paths that converge inthe direction of the blank, operating rods en-' gaging at one end with said slides and extending in divergent directions inclined to the planes of said clamp members, means for restraining the rods from endwise movement, and an operating member movable in sliding engagement withthe rods in directions substantially perpendicular to the planes of the clamp members to effect lateral movement of the rods.

33. In apparatus of the class described, clamp members relatively movable to clamp the marginal portion of a toe blank, one of engage the surface of the blank and movable in directions toward and fromthe bodylof theblank, and operating means for sa d;

slides comprising rods engaging the slides at a one end, and. a guide member through which said rods extend in directions inclined to the planes of the clamp members, said guide member being movable in sliding engagement with the rods in directions sub stantially perpendicular to the planes of the clamp members to efl'ect movement of the rods and the'slides toward and from the body of the blank.

34;. In apparatus of the class described, clamp members relatively movable to clamp the marginal portion of a toe blank, one of said members including slides arranged to engage the surface of the blank and movable in directions toward and from the body of the blank, and operating means for said slides comprising rods engaging the slides at one end, and a guide member through which said rods extend in directions inclined to the planes of the clamp members, said guide member being movable in sliding engagement with the rods in directions substantially perpendicular to the planes of the clamp members to efi'ect movement of the rods and slides toward and from the body of the blank, and operating means for said guide member including provision for adjustment to vary the extent of movement of said member.

35. In apparatus of the class described, clamp members relatively movable to clamp the marginal portion of a toe blank, one of said members including slides arranged to engage the surface of the blank and movable in directions toward and from the body of the blank, and operating means for said slides comprising rods engaging the slides at I one end, and a guide member through which said rods extend in directions inclined to the planes of the clamp members, said guide member being movable m sliding engagement with the rods in directions substantially perpendicular to the planes of the clamp members to effect movement of the.

rods andslides toward and from the bodv of the blank, andmeans for varying the limit of movement of said guide member in the direction to move the slides away from the body of the blank.

36. In, apparatus of the class described, relatively movable clamp members for confining the marginal portion of a blank, one of said members including toothed portions for engaging the surface of the blank, and means for separating the blank from said toothed portions on relative movement of said members to open position.

37. In apparatus of the class described, relatively movable clamp members for confining the marginal portion of a blank, one

o v f 199 of said membei s having toothed slides nameto this specification ill the ppesencepf on s'ziidfslides.

mounted ihereen'for erjgziging "thesu rface twdsubseribmg Witnesses.-

s aid slides mprisin'g yielding members :11

of the blahk, ail-1d s'tyipping'devices between V IRVING W A AR rang'ed' te project normally zfibove'the teeth Witnesses I I CHESTER E; ROGE S, V lnytestimopy w her eqf I haye signed.v I ny LAURA GOODRIVDGE.

Copies at petelgtlmay fDBJO btQiRCd for five cents cash, by addressing the Gommssioner of Patents.

: washington nci' It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,161,019, granted November 23,

1915, upon the application of Irving W. Blanchard, of Beverly, Massachusetts, for an improvement in Machines for Forming Upper-s of Boots and Shoes, an

error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 5,

line 97, for the W01(l "and read and; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of March, A. D., 1916.

[SEAL-1 J. T. NEWTON,

Cl. 12-97. Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

